Gaming machine

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine utilizing a payout table is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and a processor in communication with the first display, wherein the processor is operable to: determine payout change information to change a payout of the payout table; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table based on the payout change information.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefits of priorities from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-342442 filed on Nov. 28, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a gaming machine utilizing a payout table.

RELATED ART

In a conventional gaming machine, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Number 2003-180908 discloses a video slot machine, in which the credit number having been won in a game is obtained as a result of calculation by multiplying the odds by the bet number. However, the odds are fixed for each winning combination and the player has little interest in the odds themselves such that the player tends to focus on whether the winning combination is established on the bet line or not, thereby causing the player to feel the game is monotonous.

In this respect, as means for preventing the monotony of the game, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,254,481 and 6,569,018 disclose a slot machine in which an image effect is performed on two display screens. That is, in the slot machine, an image effect is made such that one entire image is displayed on the two display screens jointly and, in the one entire image, for example, motion of a character displayed in a part of one of the display screens constituting the one entire image triggers motion of another character displayed in a part of the other display screen. Therefore, the image effect tries to attract the player's interest by utilizing the features of the two display screens.

And Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Number 2003-111896 discloses a slot machine to try to make the player have a feeling that the base winning symbol combination table is unexpectedly changed to the special winning symbol combination table for a predetermined number of times, thereby causing different payouts to be paid out consecutively even though the identification information image having been stopped and displayed statically corresponds to a low payout.

However, the different payouts are paid out only when the identification information image stopped and displayed statically is assigned to a low payout. But the entire payouts are not subject to the different payouts such that the player has an only limited chance to feel the unexpected result. Therefore, it is likely that the player may feel monotony as the player continues to play the game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the present invention, a gaming machine utilizing the payout table, which can avoid monotony of the game, is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and a processor in communication with the first display, wherein the processor is operable to: determine payout change information to change a payout of the payout table; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table based on the payout change information.

Further features of the present invention, its nature, and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following description of the preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an example of an upper liquid crystal display and a lower liquid crystal display at game start in the case where nine variable display parts are utilized in the game.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slot machine.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the nine variable display parts.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing eight activated pay lines.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing schematically a control system of the slot machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing schematically a liquid crystal driving circuit of the slot machine.

FIG. 7 is a drawing an array of symbols (video reel) which are displayed variably by being scrolled in each of the variable display parts on the lower liquid crystal display in the game.

FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating a lottery table of symbols to be stopped and displayed statically as the nine variable display parts are utilized in the game.

FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating a payout table listing winning combinations and payouts thereof in the case where the nine variable display parts are utilized in the game.

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a flow chart of a main process program.

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a flow chart of a start acceptance process program.

FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a flow chart of a lottery process program.

FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a table to be utilized when payout change information for changing the payouts in the payout table in the game is selected when the nine variable display parts are utilized in the game.

FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating a table to be utilized as a image pattern of a bubble effect is performed along with display of the payout change information for changing the payouts in the payout table in the game when the nine variable display parts are utilized in the game.

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing a flow chart of a game process program.

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing a flow chart of a game process program.

FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a display example on the upper liquid crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display at game start when the nine variable display parts are utilized in the game.

FIG. 18 is a drawing showing a display example on the upper liquid crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display at game start when the nine variable display parts are utilized in the game.

FIG. 19 is a drawing showing a display example on the upper liquid crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display at game start when the nine variable display parts are utilized in the game.

FIG. 20 is a drawing showing a display example on the upper liquid crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display at game start when the nine variable display parts are utilized in the game.

FIG. 21 is a drawing showing a display example on the upper liquid crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display at game start when the nine variable display parts are utilized in the game.

FIG. 22 is a drawing showing a display example on the upper liquid crystal display and the lower liquid crystal display at game start when the nine variable display parts are utilized in the game.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description, an explanation for a gaming machine as an embodiment according to the present invention is made in detail with reference to the attached drawings. First, a general structure of the slot machine according to the present embodiment is explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the slot machine. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing nine variable display parts. FIG. 4 is a drawing showing eight pay lines. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the control system of the slot machine.

In FIG. 2, a slot machine 1 has a cabinet 2 which forms an outer shape of the gaming machine. An upper liquid crystal display 3 is arranged on an upper part on the front face of the cabinet 2, and a lower liquid crystal display 4 is arranged inside an apparatus front panel frame 20 disposed on a central part of the front face of the cabinet 2. Herein, the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 are composed of a liquid crystal display for a general use. The upper liquid crystal display 3 displays information on the game such as a game playing method, a payout table 123 (see FIG. 9 to be described later) showing the kinds of winning combinations and payouts thereof, and various kinds of effects of the game. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower liquid crystal display 4 displays nine variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, at most eight activated pay lines L1 to L8 are displayed thereon. On each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C, symbols constituting a video reel 100 to be described later are variably displayed by being scrolled from the right to left direction.

An operation table 5 projecting toward the player's side is formed below the lower liquid crystal display 4. On the operation table 5, an exchange (CHANGE) button 6, a payout (CASHOUT) button 7, and a help (HELP) button 8 are arranged from the leftmost side. On the right side of the help button 8, a coin insertion part 9 and a bill insertion part 10 are provided. On the player's side of the operation table 5, a 1-BET button 11, a spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12, a 3-BET button 13, a 5-BET button 14 and an 8-BET button 15 are arranged from the left side.

Here, the exchange button 6 is a button to be pressed for exchanging a bill inserted into the bill insertion part 10. Exchanged coins are discharged from a coin payout opening 16 provided on a lower part of the cabinet 2 to a coin receiving part 17. An exchange (CHANGE) switch 62 to be described later is attached to the exchange button 6. When the exchange button 6 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the exchange switch 62 to a CPU 50 based on the depression (see FIG. 5).

The payout button 7 is a button to be pressed at the end of the game. When the payout button 7 is pressed, coins gained in the game are paid out from the coin payout opening 16 to the coin receiving part 17. A payout (CASHOUT) switch 63 to be described later is attached to the payout button 7. When the payout button 7 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the payout (CASHOUT) switch 63 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see FIG. 5).

The help button 8 is a button to be pressed when an operation method of the game or the like is not clear. When the help button 8 is pressed, various kinds of help information may be displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3. A help (HELP) switch 64 to be described later is attached to the help button 8. When the help button 8 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the help switch 64 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see FIG. 5).

A coin sensor 65 to be described later is arranged in the coin insertion part 9. When a coin is inserted into the coin insertion part 9, a coin detection signal is outputted from the coin sensor 65 to the CPU 50 (see FIG. 5).

A bill sensor 66 to be described later is arranged in the bill insertion part 10. When a bill is inserted into the bill insertion part 10, a bill detection signal is outputted from the bill sensor 66 to the CPU 50 (see FIG. 5).

The 1-BET button 11 is a button to be pressed once for making one bet. A 1-BET switch 58 to be described later is attached to this 1-BET button 11. When the 1-BET button 11 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the 1-BET switch 58 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see FIG. 5).

The spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12 starts is a button to be pressed for initiating variable display of symbols in the respective variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C of the lower liquid crystal display 4 in order to start the game with the present bet number or the previous bet number. A spin switch 57 to be described later is attached to the spin button 12. When the spin button 12 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the spin switch 57 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see FIG. 5). The number of bets which can be performed with depression of the spin button 12 is 1, 2, 3, 5, or 8 (one, two, three, five, or eight bets).

The 3-BET button 13 is a button to be pressed once for making three bets. A 3-BET switch 59 to be described later is attached to this 3-BET button 13. When the 3-BET button 13 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the 3-BET switch 59 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see FIG. 5).

The 5-BET button 14 is a button to be pressed once for making five bets. A 5-BET switch 60 to be described later is attached to this 5-BET button 14. When the 5-BET button 14 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the 5-BET switch 60 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see FIG. 5).

Also, the 8-BET button 15 is a button to be pressed once for making eight bets. An 8-BET switch 61 to be described later is attached to this 8-BET button 15. When the 8-BET button 15 is pressed, a switch signal is outputted from the 8-BET switch 61 to the CPU 50 based on the depression (see FIG. 5).

Here, the number of bets which can be made with depression of the 1-BET button 11, the spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12, the 3-BET button 13, the 5-BET button 14, or the 8-BET button 15 is 1, 2, 3, 5, or 8 (one, two, three, five, or eight bets). As a result of such a bet operation, if the number of bets is one, one predetermined pay line is activated out of the pay lines L1 to L8. If the number of bets is two, two predetermined pay lines are activated out of the pay lines L1 to L8. If the number of bets is three, three predetermined pay lines are activated out of the pay lines L1 to L8. If the number of bets is five, five predetermined pay lines are activated out of the pay lines L1 to L8. Moreover, if the number of bets is eight, all the eight pay lines L1 to L8 are activated.

On the other hand, the gaming machine could be adjusted to be a machine provided with another button which makes all the eight pay lines L1 to L8 activated for the one bet (the number of bets is one).

In the following description, it is assumed for convenience of explanation that all the pay lines L1 to L8 are activated as the game proceeds unless otherwise specified.

The coin payout opening 16 is formed on the lower part of the cabinet 2, and the coin receiving part 17 is provided to receive coins paid out from the coin payout opening 16. Inside the coin payout opening 16, a coin detector 73 which is composed of a sensor and the like is arranged as is described later. The coin detector 73 detects the number of coins paid out from the coin payout opening 16 (see FIG. 5).

Next, symbols used in the game with the slot machine 1 are explained. FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a symbol array (video reel) which is variably displayed by being scrolled in each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C of the lower liquid crystal display 4 during in the game.

Here, the symbol array is composed of a scatter 101, a sea turtle 102, a mudskipper 103, a sea horse 104, a hermit crab 105, a blue tang 106, an ammonite 107, a clownfish 108, a seal 109 and a swordfish 110, thereby constituting the video reel 100.

Next, a configuration of a control system of the slot machine 1 is explained with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing the control system of the slot machine.

In FIG. 5, the control system of the slot machine 1 is basically composed of the CPU 50 serving as a core member, and the CPU 50 is connected to a ROM 51 and a RAM 52. The ROM 51 stores a main processing program, a start acceptance processing program, a lottery processing program, a game processing program, a lottery table for selecting the stop-displayed symbol in the game (the symbol being displayed statically after the variable display), various kinds of programs and data tables necessary for controlling the slot machine 1, and the like, which will be described later. The RAM 52 is a memory which temporarily stores various data calculated by the CPU 50.

Also, the CPU 50 is connected to a clock pulse generating circuit 53 which generates a reference clock pulse and a frequency divider 54. Further, the CPU 50 is connected to a random number generator 55 which generates a random number and random number sampling circuit 56. The random number sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 is used for various kinds of lotteries (lot drawings) for selecting a winning combination and the like. Further, the CPU 50 is connected to the spin switch 57 attached to the spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12, the 1-BET switch 58 attached to the 1-BET button 11, the 3-BET switch 59 attached to the 3-BET button 13, the 5-BET switch 60 attached to the 5-BET button 14, the 8-BET switch 61 attached to the 8-BET button 15, the exchange (CHANGE) switch 62 attached to the exchange button 6, the payout (CASHOUT) switch 63 attached to the payout button 7, and the help (HELP) switch 64 attached to the help button 8. The CPU 50 controls various kinds of operations corresponding to the respective buttons on the basis of respective switch signals outputted from the respective switches upon depression of the respective buttons.

Further, the CPU is connected to the coin sensor 65 arranged in the coin insertion part 9 and the bill sensor 66 arranged in the bill insertion part 10. The coin sensor 65 detects coins inserted into the coin insertion part 9, and the CPU 50 calculates the number of inserted coins on the basis of the coin detection signal outputted from the coin sensor 65. The bill sensor 66 detects the kind and the number of bills inserted into the bill insertion part 10, and the CPU 50 calculates the number of coins equivalent to the amount of the bills on the basis of the bill detection signal outputted from the bill sensor 66.

The CPU 50 is connected to a hopper 71 via a hopper drive circuit 70. When a drive signal from the CPU 50 is outputted to the hopper drive circuit 70, the hopper 71 discharges a predetermined number of coins from the coin payout opening 16.

Further, the CPU 50 is connected to a coin detector 73 via a payout completion signal circuit 72. The coin detector 73 is arranged inside the coin payout opening 16. When the coin detector 73 detects the predetermined number coins discharged from the coin payout opening 16, a coin payout detection signal is outputted from the coin detector 73 to the payout completion signal circuit 72. On the basis of this signal, the payout completion signal circuit 72 outputs a payout completion signal to the CPU 50. Moreover, the CPU 50 is connected to the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 via a liquid crystal drive circuit 74, and controls the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4.

At this point, the liquid crystal drive circuit 74 is constituted of a program ROM 81, an image ROM 82, an image control CPU 83, a work RAM 84, a VDP (video display processor) 85, a video RAM 86 and the like as shown in FIG. 6. The program ROM 81 stores various kinds of selection tables and an image control program for displaying images on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4.

Moreover, the image ROM 82, for example, stores dot data for forming images such as demonstration effects performed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4, various kinds of help information, payout tables, payout change information and bubble effect displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3, respective symbols of the video reel 100 of FIG. 7 to be displayed on the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C, and 24A to 24C (see FIG. 3) of the lower liquid crystal display 4, etc.

The image control CPU 83 determines images displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 out of the dot data stored in advance in the image ROM 82 on the basis of parameters set by the CPU 50 and in accordance with the image control program stored in advance in the program ROM 81. The work RAM 84 is configured as temporary storage means which is used when the image control program is executed with the image control CPU 83. The VDP 85 forms images according to display contents determined by the image control CPU 83, and outputs the resultant images to the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4. Accordingly, respective symbols and the like of the video reel 100 of FIG. 7 are, by way of example, variably displayed and statically displayed in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C of the lower liquid crystal display 4 (see FIG. 3). The video RAM 86 is configured as temporary storage means which is used when an image is formed with the VDP 85.

When respective symbols of the video reel 100 which are variably displayed by being scrolled are stopped and displayed statically in the respective variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C, one symbol is stopped and displayed statically in each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C, and 24A to 24C. Various kinds of winning combinations are set up in advance on the basis of a plurality of kinds of combinations of the above-mentioned respective symbols (see FIG. 9), and when a combination of the symbols corresponding to a winning combination is stopped along any of the activated pay lines L1 to L8, coins are paid out from the coin payout opening 16 according to the winning combination. Such features are similar to those of conventional slot machines and hence explanations thereof are omitted here.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the CPU 50 is connected to LED 78 via an LED drive circuit 77. When a large number of LEDs 78 are arranged on the front face of the slot machine 1 such that various kinds of effects are performed, the LED drive circuit 77 controls lighting of the LEDs on the basis of the drive signal from the CPU 50. Further, the CPU 50 is connected to a sound output circuit 79 and a speaker 80, and the speaker 80 generates various kinds of sound effects when performing various kinds of effects based on the signal outputted from the sound output circuit 79.

Then, with reference to FIG. 8, an explanation is made for a lottery table to be utilized for determining the symbols which are stopped and displayed statically in the respective variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C in the case that the game is played in the slot machine 1 with the nine variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C. FIG. 8 is a drawing illustrating the lottery table of the symbols to be stopped and displayed statically in the case that the game is played with the nine variable display parts. Here, the lottery table shown in FIG. 8 is stored in the ROM 51.

In this respect, the symbols to be stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C are determined symbol by symbol for each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C. For this purpose, code numbers “0” to “9” are assigned, sequentially from the left, to the respective symbols which constitute the video reel 100 as shown in FIG. 7, and a lottery table as shown in FIG. 8 is provided. Then, nine random number values are sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 so that the sampled numbers correspond to the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C, respectively.

By way of example, the lottery table of FIG. 8 shows individual symbols which constitute the video reel 100 to be displayed in the variable display part 23A. When a random number value sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 is in the range of 0 to 1, the symbol of the scatter 101 assigned to the code number “0” is stopped and displayed statically in the variable display part 23A. As to the code numbers from “1” to “9”, each symbol corresponds to each code number in the same way on the basis of the lottery table of FIG. 8.

Here, as to each symbol which constitutes the video reel 100 and is displayed in each of the other variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23B and 23C, and 24A to 24C, each symbol corresponding to each code number is stopped and displayed statically in the same way as each symbol which constitutes the video reel 100 of the variable display part 23A is stopped and displayed statically as mentioned above.

Next, an explanation is made for winning combinations and payout rates thereof when the game is played in the slot machine 1 with the nine variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the payout table showing the winning combinations and the payout rates thereof in the case of performing the game utilizing the nine variable display parts.

The payout table 123 as shown in FIG. 9 is constituted of a payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds and a payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds, and is stored as a table in the ROM 51.

In this respect, the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds shows the payout rate of each symbol to the number of symbols of the same kind to be stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts (see FIG. 3) along the activated pay lines (see FIG. 4) displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. For example, when the random number values of any five variable display parts along the activated pay lines (see FIG. 4) out of the nine variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C are within the range from “2” to “19”, “ANY 5 of sea turtle” having a code number of ‘1’ (see FIG. 8) is won. In this case, the five sea turtles 102 are stopped and displayed statically in the five variable display parts along the activated pay lines (see FIG. 4), respectively (see FIG. 7), and the payout rate of “1” is obtained. In a similar manner, each payout rate of ‘ANY’ odds is made on the basis of the payout table 121 of the ‘ANY’ odds as shown in FIG. 9.

The payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds shows the payout rate per line to the number of activated pay lines (see FIG. 4) on which symbols of the same kind are stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts (see FIG. 3) along the activated pay lines (see FIG. 4) displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. For example, with regard to the nine variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C, when any of the random number values of symbols which are displayed in all variable display parts along a single activated pay line (see FIG. 4) out of the activated pay lines (see FIG. 4) are within the range from “2” to “19”, “sea turtle—sea turtle—sea turtle” combination of code number ‘1’ (see FIG. 8) is won with respect to the activated pay line (see FIG. 4). In this case, every variable display part along the activated pay line (see FIG. 4) shows statically the sea turtle 102 (see FIG. 7), and the payout rate of “5” is obtained. Here, when a plurality of activated pay lines (see FIG. 4) are entitled for winning the “sea turtle—sea turtle—sea turtle” combination, the payout rate may be calculated by multiplying the number of the activated pay lines by “5”. In a similar manner, each payout rate of ‘LINE’ odds is determined on the basis of the payout table 122 of the ‘LINE’ odds as shown in FIG. 9.

When the random number values of symbols to be displayed in three or more variable display parts along activated pay lines (see FIG. 4) displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 are “0” or “1” with respect to the nine variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C, the symbols of scatter 101 having a code number of ‘0’ are stopped and displayed statically, respectively (see FIG. 7), in the three or more variable display parts along the activated pay lines (see FIG. 4). Subsequently, a special game is developed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. However, a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Next, an explanation is made for a table to be used in selecting payout change information that changes the payout rates of the payout table 123 of the game with reference to FIG. 13 when the game is played with the nine variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C of the slot machine 1.

The payout change information which changes the payout rates of the payout table 123 is selected in this embodiment by utilizing the table (see FIG. 13) and a random number value sampled in the range of 0 to 127 by the random number sampling circuit 56. As to the object of the payout change information to be selected, there are three patterns, that is, only the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds, only the payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds, and both of the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds and the payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds.

That is, the table of FIG. 13 shows that, when the random number value sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 is any one of “0” to “12”, the payout change information which doubles the payout of only the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds is selected. On the other hand, when the random number value sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 is any one of “13” to “25”, the payout change information (“×2”) which doubles the payout of only the payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds is selected. Further, when the random number value sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 is any one of “26” to “31”, the payout change information which doubles the payout of both the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds and the payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds is selected. Each of the payout change information (“×3”, ×4”, or “×5”) which changes payout by three times, four times or five times is selected similarly.

Next, when the game is played with the nine variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C of the slot machine 1, an explanation is made for a table to be utilized in selecting an image pattern of bubble effect to be performed along with display of payout change information which changes the payout amount based on the payout table 123 of the game with reference to FIG. 14.

In this respect, the image pattern of the bubble effect performed along with display of the payout change information which changes the payout amount based on the payout table 123 is selected by using a table (see FIG. 14) and a random number value sampled in the range from 0 to 127 by the random number sampling circuit 56. That is, the table of FIG. 14 shows that, when the random number value sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 is any one from “0” to “53”, an image of bubble effect of a pattern having a small number of bubbles is selected. When the random number value sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 is any one from “54” to “95”, an image of bubble effect of a pattern having an intermediate number of bubbles is selected. Further, when the random number value sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 is any one from “96” to “127”, an image of bubble effect of a pattern having a large number of bubbles is selected.

Next, a main process program executed on the slot machine 1 is explained with reference to FIG. 10, which is the flowchart of the main process program. In FIG. 10, the start acceptance process of FIG. 11 to be described later is first executed in step (abbreviated to “S” hereafter) 11. In this process, a switch signal outputted from the spin switch 57, the 1-BET switch 58, the 3-BET switch 59, the 5-BET switch 60, or the 8-BET switch 61 on the basis of an operation of the spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12, an operation of the 1-BET button 11, an operation of the 3-BET button 13 or an operation of the 5-BET button 14 or the 8-BET button 15 is received. The game is started at the moment when the switch signal outputted from each switch is received.

Then, in S12, lottery process of FIG. 12 to be described later is executed on the basis of the switch signal outputted from the spin switch 57, the 1-BET switch 58, the 3-BET switch 59, the 5-BET switch 60, or the 8-BET switch 61.

In the following S13, a game process of FIG. 15 to be described later is executed, and subsequently the other game process of S14 is executed, thereby completing this main process program. In the other game process of S14, a special game is developed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 only if a predetermined condition with respect to the symbol of scatter 101 is satisfied. However, the detailed description of the game process is omitted here.

Next, an explanation is made for the start acceptance process program to be executed with the slot machine 1 with reference to FIG. 11, which shows a flowchart of the start acceptance process program. The start acceptance process is executed in S11 of the main process program of FIG. 10. For the process, it is determined first, in S21 of FIG. 11, whether a predetermined period of time (for example, 15 seconds) has elapsed. When the determination shows that the predetermined time has not elapsed (S21: NO), the program proceeds to S23 without performing anything. On the other hand, when the determination shows that the predetermined time has elapsed (S21: YES), demonstration effect is performed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 and the lower liquid crystal display 4 in S22, and the program proceeds to S23. Then, in S23, it is determined whether an operation of the spin (SPIN/REPEAT BET) button 12, an operation of the 1-BET button 11, an operation of the 3-BET button 13, or an operation of the 5-BET button 14 or 8-BET button 15 has been made. Here, when the determination shows that the operation of the 1-BET button 11 and the like has not been made (S23: NO), the program returns to S21, and the process mentioned above is repeated. On the other hand, when the determination shows that the operation of the 1-BET button 11, etc. has been made (S23: YES), the demonstration effect is canceled, and the predetermined activated pay lines L1 to L8 are displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. At the same time, as shown in FIG. 17, for example, the payout table 123 which is constituted of the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds and the payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds is displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3. Thereafter, the program returns to the main process program of FIG. 10, and proceeds to a lottery process of S12.

Next, the lottery process program to be executed with the slot machine 1 is explained with reference to FIG. 12, which shows a flowchart of the lottery processing program. The Lottery process is executed in S12 of the main process program of FIG. 10. For the process, the program first proceeds to S31 of FIG. 12, and symbol determination process is executed. Here, the symbol which is stopped and displayed statically in each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C during the game (S42 of FIG. 15) is determined for each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C. More specifically, as mentioned above, nine random number values for the respective variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C are sampled from the range from 0 to 127 by the random number sampling circuit 56 to determine the symbols to be stopped and displayed statically as code numbers thereof are utilized on the basis of the lottery table of FIG. 8. When the symbol to be stopped and displayed statically is determined for each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C, a winning combination determination process is executed in S32. More specifically, in this winning combination determination process, as mentioned above, the winning combinations along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4 and payout rates thereof are determined on the basis of the table stored in the ROM 51 as the payout table 123 of FIG. 9 is utilized with the code numbers acquired in the above S31.

Then, the lottery process for changing the payout table is executed in S33. More specifically, in this lottery process for changing the payout table, the payout change information for changing the payout of the payout table 123 is selected as the table of FIG. 13 and the random number values sampled from the range of 0 to 127 by the random number sampling circuit 56 are utilized, as mentioned above. For example, when the random number value sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 is any one from “121” to “127”, the payout change information for changing payout by 5 times is selected for both of the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds and the payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds.

The random number lottery in S33 may be performed simultaneously with the random number lottery in S31.

More specifically, in this lottery process for changing the payout table, as mentioned above, one image pattern is selected from the three image patterns of bubble effect as the table of FIG. 14 and the random number value sampled from the range of 0 to 127 by the random number sampling circuit 56 are utilized. For example, when the random number value sampled by the random number sampling circuit 56 is any one of “96” to “127”, an image pattern of bubble effect with a large number of bubbles is selected.

When the program proceeds to S34, an instruction process of payout change is executed. In this instruction process of payout change, the payout change information (a multiplier thereof) selected in the above S33 is stored in the RAM 52. The payout change information (a multiplier thereof) stored in the RAM 52 is used when the amount of payout is paid out in the game (S43 of FIG. 15).

In the subsequent S35, an effect image process is executed. In this effect image process, the payout change information and the bubble effect having been selected in the above S33 are displayed. More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 in this order, the image pattern of the bubble effect having been selected in the above S33 is first displayed in the lower liquid crystal display 4 and then is shifted from the lower liquid crystal to the upper liquid crystal display 3 as they are displayed. That is, a large number of bubbles 131 generated below the lower liquid crystal display 4 appear from the bottom of the display 4, rise gradually and then are displayed covering only the entire lower liquid crystal display 4 (see FIG. 18). Continuously, the large number of bubbles 131 rise gradually and are displayed over both the upper part of the lower liquid crystal display 4 and the lower part of the upper liquid crystal display 3 (see FIG. 19), and then rise further and are displayed only on the upper liquid crystal display 3 (see FIG. 20). The number of bubbles that are shifted from the lower liquid crystal display 4 to the upper liquid crystal display 3 may be small, medium, or large (in any one of the three states) in this embodiment. The number of bubbles 131 is determined according to the image pattern selected in the above S33.

In this particular embodiment, a distribution of bubble sizes is predetermined as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20. However, the size of each bubble as well as the distribution of the bubble sizes can be varied in accordance with the present invention. In such a case, selectable image patterns could be big bubbles, medium bubbles, and small bubbles of the same number. Further, any item other than the bubbles can be utilized.

Then, as shown in FIG. 20, when the large number of bubbles 131 are shifted and displayed above the payout table 123 on the upper liquid crystal display 3, the payout change information (a multiplier thereof) selected in the above S33 is displayed so that the information is superposed on all or a part of the payout table 123, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1, 21 or 22.

In this respect, as shown in FIG. 1, the payout change information of “×2” for doubling the payout of the payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds is selected in the above S33. Therefore, when the large number of bubbles 131 are shifted and displayed above the payout table 123 on the upper liquid crystal display 3, a translucent half-tone dot mesh covers the entire payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds, and a character of “×2” is displayed overlapping the payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds.

In the case shown in FIG. 21, the payout change information of “×3” for tripling the payout of the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds is selected in the above S33. Therefore, when the large number of bubbles 131 are shifted and displayed above the payout table 123 on the upper liquid crystal display 3, a translucent half tone dot mesh covers the entire payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds, and a character of “×3” is displayed overlapping the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds.

In the case as shown in FIG. 22, the payout change information of “×5” for quintupling the payout of the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds and the payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds is selected in the above S33. Therefore, when the large number of bubbles 131 are shifted and displayed above the payout table 123 on the upper liquid crystal display 3, a translucent half tone dot mesh covers both the entire payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds and the entire payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds, and a character of “×5” is displayed overlapping the payout table 121 of ‘ANY’ odds and the payout table 122 of ‘LINE’ odds.

In any event, the payout change information (a multiplier thereof) selected in the above S33 may be displayed in the midst of movement and display of the large number of bubbles 131 over the payout table 123 on the upper liquid crystal display 3, as shown in FIG. 19, so that the information is superposed on all or part of the payout table 123. In such a case, as long as the player keeps his eyes on the large number of bubbles 131 to be shifted from the lower liquid crystal display 4 to the upper liquid crystal display 3 as they are displayed, the player cannot miss the moment when the payout change information (a multiplier thereof) concerned is displayed so as to recognize the information.

Here, it appears to the player that the payout change information and the bubble effect performed in the effect image process in S35 are displayed at the same time as the variable display of symbols on the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C (see FIGS. 1, 21, and 22) is started in the game (S41 of FIG. 15).

Thereafter, the program returns to the main process program of FIG. 10, and proceeds to game process of S13.

Next, the game process program executed in the slot machine 1 is explained with reference to FIG. 15, which shows a flowchart of the game process program. The game process is executed in S13 of the main process program of FIG. 10. For that purpose, a rotation process is first executed in S41 of FIG. 15. More specifically, in this rotation process, the video pictures of symbols which constitute the video reel 100 are scrolled from the right-to-left direction in each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C on the basis of the switch signal which is outputted from the spin switch 57, the 1-BET switch 58, the 3-BET switch 59, the 5-BET switch 60, or the 8-BET switch 61 and is received in S11 of FIG. 10.

Then, a stop control process is executed in S42. More specifically, in this stop control process, the video reel 100 which is constituted of symbols is stopped so that each symbol determined on the basis of the lottery result in the symbol determination process of S31 is displayed in each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C. Accordingly, each symbol is displayed statically.

Then, in S43, an equivalent amount of coins and the like to what is obtained by multiplying the payout set up in advance in the payout table 123 of FIG. 9 by the multiplier of the payout change information displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 is paid out according to the winning combination of symbols having been stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. When winning combinations are realized along a plurality of activated pay lines L1 to L8, the payouts of the winning combinations are added together. Therefore, when a plurality of ‘ANY’ odds and a plurality of ‘LINE’ odds are realized simultaneously, for example, an equivalent amount of coins and the like to what is obtained by multiplying each payout of the odds of which payout change information is displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3 by the multiplier of the concerned payout change information and then totalizing resultant individual payout amounts is paid out.

When the process of S43 is executed, the main process program of FIG. 10 comes to an end, and the main process program of FIG. 10 is newly started.

Therefore, as mentioned above, when the CPU 50 executes the lottery process for changing the payout table in S33 in the lottery process of FIG. 12, the CPU 50 functions as “payout change lottery means”.

Moreover, when the CPU 50 executes the effect image process in S35 in the lottery process of FIG. 12, the CPU 50 functions as “first means for shifting and displaying images”.

As explained in detail above, when the payout change information (any one of “×2”, “×3”, “×4” and “×5” here) which changes the payout of the payout table 123 is selected (S33) in the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment, the selected payout change information is, as shown in FIGS. 1, 21 and 22, displayed overlapped on the payout table 123 on the upper liquid crystal display 3 (S35) at the start of the game. Such payout change information is delivered to the player securely by guiding the player to keep his eyes on the large number of bubbles 131 in the bubble effect displayed in the order as shown in FIGS. 18 to 20 (S35), that is, with the large number of bubbles 131 in the bubble effect shifted from the lower liquid crystal display 4 on which the player focuses his attention to the upper liquid crystal display 3 on which the payout table 123 is displayed (S35) since the lower liquid crystal display 4 displays the game result as each symbol is stopped and displayed statically in each of the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C. Therefore, the player may experience a sense of freshness at the game start since the game player can recognize various kinds of payout change information when the player plays the game, and may be prevented from feeling monotony of the game which uses the payout table 123.

The payout change information (here any one of “×2”, “×3”, “×4” and “×5”) which changes the payout of the payout table 123 in the game can further attract the interest of the player since the information signifies, whichever information is selected, increase of the payout of payout table 123 by a predetermined multiplication factor (here twice, three times, four times, or five times) (see FIG. 13) and is advantageous to the player.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, an opportunity to perform the lottery of payout change information and the lottery of bubble effect (S33) is limited only to an occasion in which one or more winning combinations of symbols are stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. When no winning combination of symbols is stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4, the latest lottery result among the already-performed lottery results may be used instead without making the lottery of payout change information or the lottery of bubble effect.

Further, when no winning combination of symbols is stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4, only the bubble effect of shifting a large number of bubbles 131 from the lower liquid crystal display 4 to the upper liquid crystal display 3 as they are displayed may be performed without displaying the payout change information in the game concerned.

That is, in such a case, for example, the program proceeds from the lottery process of S33 of FIG. 12 to the flowchart shown in FIG. 16. Then, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 16, S101 is first executed, in which it is determined whether the payout table is to be changed. If any winning combinations of symbols are stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4, it is determined to change the payout table. If no winning combinations of symbols are stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4, it is determined that no change is made in the payout table. Here, if it is determined that the payout table is changed (S101: YES), the lottery process of S34 of FIG. 12 is executed. On the other hand, if it is determined that no change is made in the payout table (S101: NO), the program proceeds to S102, and no payout change information is displayed at all, but only the bubble effect is performed in which the large number of bubbles 131 are shifted from the lower liquid crystal display 4 to the upper liquid crystal display as they are displayed. Thereafter, the process returns to the main process program of FIG. 10.

The determination in the above S101 may be made only by means of a random number lottery regardless of whether a winning combination of symbols is stopped and displayed statically or not. Even in this case, the payout change information may be displayed or may not be displayed depending simply on the result of the random number lottery when the bubble effect is performed in which the large number of bubbles 131 are shifted from the lower liquid crystal display 4 to the upper liquid crystal display 3 as they are displayed. As mentioned above, it is determined by the random number lottery that the payout change information is displayed or not, regardless of whether the winning combination is stopped and displayed statically or not.

Therefore, as mentioned above, when the CPU 50 executes the determination process of S101 of FIG. 16, the CPU 50 functions as “execution lottery means”.

Alternatively, when the CPU 50 executes the effect image process of S102 of FIG. 16, the CPU 50 functions as “second means for shifting and displaying images”.

As to the image pattern of the bubble effect, candidate patterns to be selected may be limited in advance and assigned to respective winning combinations to be stopped and displayed statically in the variable display parts 22A to 22C, 23A to 23C and 24A to 24C along the activated pay lines L1 to L8 displayed on the lower liquid crystal display 4. Or only one image pattern may be set up in advance.

Moreover, when the selected payout change information (here, any one of “×2”, “×3”, “×4” and “×5”) is displayed, the payout of the payout table 123 may be rewritten to a value which is increased by the predetermined multiplication factor (here, any of twice, three times, four times, and five times) of the payout change information concerned and displayed on the upper liquid crystal display 3. Further, only the payout of the predetermined winning combination in the payout table 123 may be increased in such a rewriting process.

The lottery result of the payout change information and the lottery result of the bubble effect may be continuously utilized over several consecutive games.

The examples of changes as mentioned above may be applied to the slot machine 1 of the present embodiment in combination.

The present invention may apply to the technology of changing payout tables in a game to be performed with a gaming machine.

As described above, by way of example, the following gaming machines may be included according to the present invention.

According to the present invention, a gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) for displaying a result of a game; a second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) provided next to the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4), the second display displaying a payout table of the game; payout change lottery means (e.g., CPU 50, S33) for conducting a lottery to select one piece of payout change information from a plurality of pieces of payout change information for changing payout of the payout table displayed on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3); payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) for displaying the one piece of payout change information selected by the payout change lottery means (e.g., CPU 50, S33) on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) at game start; and first image shift means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) for shifting a payout change notification image from the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) to the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) when the one piece of payout change information is displayed on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) by means of the payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) at the game start.

And in the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) as described above, the first image shift means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) causes three sequential sates: a state that the payout change notification image is displayed only on the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) displays and a state that the payout change notification image is displayed over the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) and the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) and a state the payout change notification image is displayed only on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3).

And in the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) as described above, the payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) causes the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) to display the one piece of payout change information right after the first image shift means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) causes the payout change notification image to be displayed over the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) and the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3).

And in the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) as described above, the payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) causes the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) to display the one piece of payout change information right after the first image shift means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) causes the payout change notification image to be displayed only on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3).

And in the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) as described above, the plurality of pieces of payout change information include predetermined multiplication factors for multiplying respective payouts of the payout table to be displayed on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3).

And the gaming machine (e.g., slot machine 1) as described above, further comprises: execution lottery means (e.g., CPU 50, S101) for conducting a lottery to determine whether the payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) performs or not; and second image shift means (e.g., CPU 50, S102) for causing a shift from a state that the payout change notification image is displayed on the first display (e.g., lower liquid crystal display 4) to a state that the payout change notification image is displayed on the second display (e.g., upper liquid crystal display 3) when it is determined that the payout change display means (e.g., CPU 50, S35) does not perform based on a lottery result of the execution lottery means (e.g., CPU 50, S101).

In another aspect, the following gaming machines may be included according to the present invention.

A gaming machine utilizing a payout table is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and a processor in communication with the first display, wherein the processor is operable to: determine payout change information to change a payout of the payout table; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table based on the payout change information.

Here, the first display may comprise, by way of example, the aforementioned upper liquid crystal display and the processor may also include, by way of example, the aforementioned CPU 50.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the processor is operable to: notify that the payout of the payout table is changed; and synchronize display of the changed payout with notification of the change. Therefore, the payout change is displayed when the change is notified.

The above-described gaming machine further comprises: a second display for displaying a result of the game. The processor is in communication with the second display and is operable to: shift a payout change notification image from the second display to the first display; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table during movement of the payout change notification image based on the payout change information having been determined. Therefore, the payout change notification image is displayed on the second display, which may include, by way of example, the aforementioned the lower liquid display. The notification image may move at least in the second display and appear to move out of the second display.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the processor is operable to: change the payout of the payout table by displaying the payout change information over the payout table. Here, the payout change information may include some kind of factor to change the values in the payout table. Therefore, the player may utilize both payout table and payout change information to figure out what the player would obtain.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the second display is provided next to the first display such that the payout change notification image can be displayed as if the image moves from the second display to the first display. Therefore, the player may have his eyes on the payout change notification image being suddenly displayed on the second display in an overlapping manner with the displayed game result. Then, the player may keep his eyes on the payout notification image moving from the second display to the first display such that the player's eyes are directed to the payout change information naturally.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the payout change information comprises a multiplication factor by which a value of the payout table having been displayed is multiplied.

In yet another aspect, a gaming machine utilizing a payout table is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; a second display, provided next to the first display, for displaying a result of the game; a memory for storing the payout table including a payout for a winning combination, and a plurality of factors for changing the payout for the winning combination; and a processor being operable to: select a factor from the plurality of factors so as to change the payout by multiplying a value of the payout table by the selected factor; and cause a payout change notification image to be displayed and shifted from on the second display and to on the first display as if the payout change notification image is moved from the second display and the first display.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the processor is operable to synchronize movement of the payout change notification image with display of the factor.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the second display comprises variable display parts in which symbols are variably displayed and stopped such that a winning combination is displayed statically. The processor is operable to cause the first display to display the payout table shaded and the selected factor over the shaded payout table.

Further, a gaming machine utilizing a payout table is provided. The gaming machine comprising: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and a processor in communication with the first display. The processor is operable to: conduct a lottery to select one piece of payout change information from a plurality of pieces of payout change information for changing a payout of the payout table displayed on the first display; and cause the first display to display the one piece of payout change information selected by the lottery over the payout table.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the payout change notification image makes a player see the selected one piece of payout change information on the first display.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the one piece of payout change information is displayed on the first display right after the payout change notification image is displayed on the first display.

The above-described gaming machine further comprises: a second display for displaying a result of the game, the second display being provided next to the first display. The second display displays a payout change notification image after the result of the game such that a player having a major concern of the result recognizes the payout change notification image. The first and the second displays display the payout change notification image cooperatively with each other as if the payout change notification image moves from the second display to the first display.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the payout change notification image is displayed only on the second display, then is displayed over the second and the first displays, and is finally displayed only on the first display.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the first display displays the one piece of payout change information right after the payout change notification image is displayed over the second and the first displays.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the first display displays the one piece of payout change information right after the payout change notification image is displayed only on the first display.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the plurality of pieces of payout change information includes predetermined multiplication factors for multiplying respective values of the payout table displayed on the first display.

In another aspect, a gaming machine utilizing a payout table is provided. The gaming machine comprises: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; payout change lottery means for conducting a lottery to select one piece of payout change information from a plurality of pieces of payout change information for changing payout of the payout table displayed on the first display; and payout change display means for displaying the one piece of payout change information selected by the payout change lottery means on the first display.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the payout change notification image makes a player see the selected one piece of payout change information on the first display.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the one piece of payout change information is displayed on the first display right after the payout change notification image is displayed on the first display.

The above-described gaming machine further comprises: a second display for displaying a result of the game, the second display being provided next to the first display; and first image shift means for shifting a payout change notification image from on the second display to on the first display when the one piece of payout change information is displayed on the first display by means of the payout change display means.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the first image shift means causes three sequential sates: a state that the payout change notification image is displayed only on the second display and a state that the payout change notification image is displayed over the second and the first displays and a state the payout change notification image is displayed only on the first display.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the payout change display means causes the first display to display the one piece of payout change information right after the first image shift means causes the payout change notification image to be displayed over the second and the first displays.

The above-described gaming machine is characterized in that the payout change display means causes the first display to display the one piece of payout change information right after the first image shift means causes the payout change notification image to be displayed only on the first display.

Therefore, in the gaming machine according to the present invention, since the payout change notification image is displayed first on the first display to which the player focus his attention because the game result is displayed thereon, and is shifted to the second display so that the player's sight line is guided to the second display where the payout change information having been selected by lottery to change the payouts listed in the payout table is displayed. Therefore, the player is sure to be notified of the payout change information such that the player may have a fresh feeling and may be prevented from feeling the game with the payout table monotonous. 

1. A gaming machine comprising: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and a processor in communication with the first display, wherein the processor is operable to: determine payout change information to change a payout of the payout table; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table based on the payout change information.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1 wherein the processor is operable to: notify that the payout of the payout table is changed; and synchronize display of the changed payout with notification of the change.
 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a second display for displaying a result of the game, wherein the processor is in communication with the second display and is operable to: shift a payout change notification image from the second display to the first display; and cause the first display to display the changed payout of the payout table during movement of the payout change notification image based on the payout change information having been determined.
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1 wherein the processor is operable to: change the payout of the payout table by displaying the payout change information over the payout table.
 5. The gaming machine according to claim 3 wherein the second display is provided next to the first display such that the payout change notification image can be displayed as if the image moves from the second display to the first display.
 6. The gaming machine according to claim 1 wherein the payout change information comprises a multiplication factor by which a value of the payout table having been displayed is multiplied.
 7. A gaming machine comprising: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; a second display, provided next to the first display, for displaying a result of the game; a memory for storing the payout table including a payout for a winning combination, and a plurality of factors for changing the payout for the winning combination; and a processor being operable to: select a factor from the plurality of factors so as to change the payout by multiplying a value of the payout table by the selected factor; cause a payout change notification image to be displayed and shifted from on the second display and to on the first display as if the payout change notification image is moved from the second display and the first display.
 8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the processor is operable to synchronize movement of the payout change notification image with display of the factor.
 9. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the second display comprises variable display parts in which symbols are variably displayed and stopped such that a winning combination is displayed statically, and wherein the processor is operable to: cause the first display to display the payout table shaded and the selected factor over the shaded payout table.
 10. A gaming machine comprising: a first display for displaying a payout table of a game; and a processor in communication with the first display, wherein the processor is operable to: conduct a lottery to select one piece of payout change information from a plurality of pieces of payout change information for changing a payout of the payout table displayed on the first display; and cause the first display to display the one piece of payout change information selected by the lottery over the payout table.
 11. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the payout change notification image makes a player see the selected one piece of payout change information on the first display.
 12. The gaming machine according to claim 10, wherein the one piece of payout change information is notified in advance with a payout change notification image such that the one piece of payout change information is displayed on the first display right after the payout change notification image is displayed on the first display.
 13. The gaming machine according to claim 10, further comprising: a second display for displaying a result of the game, the second display being provided next to the first display, wherein the second display displays a payout change notification image after the result of the game such that a player having a major concern of the result recognizes the payout change notification image, wherein the first and the second displays display the payout change notification image cooperatively with each other as if the payout change notification image moves from the second display to the first display.
 14. The gaming machine according to claim 13, wherein the payout change notification image is displayed only on the second display, then is displayed over the second and the first displays, and is finally displayed only on the first display.
 15. The gaming machine according to claim 13, wherein the first display displays the one piece of payout change information right after the payout change notification image is displayed over the second and the first displays.
 16. The gaming machine according to claim 13, wherein the first display displays the one piece of payout change information right after the payout change notification image is displayed only on the first display.
 17. The gaming machine according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of pieces of payout change information includes predetermined multiplication factors for multiplying respective values of the payout table displayed on the first display. 